Eat Out to Help Out: London's Participating High-End Restaurants

By: Andrea Jane Pearce

Eat Out to Help Out – an initiative created to boost business in restaurants and bars – launches today, with some of London’s trendiest eateries taking part and offering discounts to diners. To celebrate the occasion, we’ve assembled a list of our favourite fine dining spots from Monument to Mayfair. There’s never been a better time to treat yourself to one of their mouth-watering signature dishes!

POLLEN STREET SOCIAL

Our take: Jason Atherton’s bistro, Pollen Street Social, describes itself as a ‘modern urban meeting point’, a home of social fine dining. Having received its first Michelin star within six months of opening, Pollen Street Social has continued to entrance us with its sophisticated and approachable dishes. It’s only a stone’s throw from Liberty London, so why not stop by after a day of luxury shopping?

Eat: Roasted Newlyn john dory with citrus fennel, kumquats, salted pink grapefruit, and citrus crème fraiche sauce 

Drink: Grüner Veltliner, Loss & Lehm

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HAKKASAN 

Our take: If you read our Chinese New Year guide earlier in the year, you might remember Hakkasan for its delicious, festive menu. While the Lunar New Year celebrations might be over, Hakkasan’s dedication to modern Cantonese cuisine is ongoing.

Dine at the original Hakkasan Hanway Place in Fitzrovia, or pop into Hakkasan Mayfair, where world-class mixology and dramatic décor enhance its award-winning menu.

Eat: Classic steamed dim sum selection

Drink: Albariño ‘Marinero’, Terras Gauda

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GYMKHANA

Our take: Channelling the atmosphere of India’s elite clubs, Gymkhana joined the list of Mayfair’s Michelin-starred institutions in 2014 with its contemporary twist on classic Indian cuisine. Its menu delights with moreish bar snacks, flavourful vegetarian dishes (sabzi) and an extensive selection of kebabs, tikkas, curries, and biryanis.

Eat: Gilafi Quail Seekh kebab with mustard, and mint chutney

Drink: Silver Sip Gimlet cocktail (Hendricks, silver tip jasmine cordial, clary sage)

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HIDE

Our take: Split over three levels, Hide (by Hedonism Wines and Ollie Dabbous) offers something for everyone. Dine in the heart of the restaurant (Hide Ground), shelter from the hustle and bustle of Central London in the basement bar (Hide Below), or feast on spectacular views over Green Park and Piccadilly on the restaurant’s upper floor (Hide Above).

And if Hide’s menu of light, elegant food alone doesn’t allure you, its incomparable wine list surely will.

Eat: Glazed Pyrenean lamb ribs with globe artichoke, and violet mustard

Drink: Taberner, Cadiz

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Click here to book (Hide Above)

IKOYI

Our take: You don’t have to be familiar with West African cuisine to appreciate the mastery behind Ikoyi’s new menu. Designed to welcome guests back to eating out after lockdown, its signature dishes promise to comfort and nourish, making you feel at home right away. Bowls of smoky rice, plates of fried chicken, and home-made chocolate chip cookies all feature on a menu built on Sub-Saharan West African spices, fresh produce, and strong flavours.

Eat: Smoked jollof rice, aged sheep kebab and crab custard

Drink: Cassava Sour cocktail (Belvedere, cassava juice, lemon)

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RANDALL & AUBIN

Our take: Established in 1996, Randall & Aubin is something of a Soho institution, famous for its fun atmosphere, friendly staff, and fantastic seafood. Dine on Anglo-French dishes beneath eighteenth-century Parisian chandeliers (and a glittering disco ball) or eat al fresco on the new Brewer Street front terrace.

Eat: Bouillabaisse

Drink: Fleurie Poncié, Domaine du Vissoux

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FISCHERS

Our take: Fischers is evocative of classical Viennese cafés; its walls are adorned with Austrian art and its menu is full of salads, schnitzels, and strudels. True to form, Fischers encourages its guests to linger, whether over a paper and a cup of coffee in the morning, or over dinner and a glass of wine in the evening.

Eat: Wiener schnitzel

Drink: Blaufränkisch, Schiefe

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ZUMA

Our take: Zuma brings informal izakaya dining to Knightsbridge, marrying ancient culinary customs with modern, sophisticated Japanese food. Watch the restaurant’s skilled chefs work in the open-plan kitchen that dominates the main dining room or grab a seat at the sushi and robata counter.

Eat: Grilled Chilean sea bass with green chilli, and ginger dressing

Drink: Japanese Penicillin cocktail (Nikka by the barrel, Lagavulin, yuzu honey, ginger and egg white, smoked over a barrel stave)

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IL PORTICO

Our take: At family-owned Il Portico, classic dishes from Emilia-Romagna are created using fresh British ingredients from the owner’s farm in Kent. Spanning three generations, Il Portico has been providing Kensington with authentic Italian specialities for six decades, making it one of London’s oldest family restaurants.

Eat: Spaghetti alle Vongole

Drink: Soave

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JULIE’S

Our take: Since opening in 1969 Julie’s has become a Holland Park favourite thanks to its intimate atmosphere and tasteful décor, complete with stained glass windows and a sleek Champagne bar.  The quintessential West London hang-out, Julie’s is hidden away in Clarendon Cross, one of the most picturesque corners of the Capital.

Eat: Glazed short rib with white polenta, cimi di rapa, and gremolata

Drink: Antinori, Rosso Di Montalcino

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DARWIN BRASSERIE

Our take: The iconic ‘Walkie-Talkie’ building not only houses London’s highest public garden (the Sky Garden), but the Capital’s highest rooftop brasserie. Head to the 36^th floor and into Darwin Brasserie, where you’ll dine on delectable dishes and panoramic views of the city.

Eat: Charred cauliflower with cauliflower purée, roasted hazelnuts, and curry shallot dressing

Drink: Amethyst cocktail (lemon peel infused vodka, homemade mûre berry syrup, fresh lemon, and lavender foam)

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COLBERT

Our take: Neighbouring the Royal Court Theatre in Sloane Square, this chic restaurant is reminiscent of a Parisian boulevard café, boasting an all-day French café menu and stylish interior. What’s more, this month sees the continuation of ‘Pétanque in the Square’, Colbert’s summer pop-up and an extension of its café culture. What better way to celebrate summer in the city than with a glass of white wine and a game of French style boules?

Eat: Côte de Boeuf, frites, sauce béarnaise

Drink: Bordeaux, of course

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